Where to Put Your Feet on the Pegs?

When it comes to riding motorcycles, everyone cares about a big engine, long rides, and stunts, etc. But, no one seems to care about how to ride safely or properly? This question is hiding several other questions on various aspects. Anyways, we are not here to discuss every matter related to riding properly. Although, you can find just about anything about motorcycles here at TopMoto.com, including helmets, riding gear, and several other accessories.

Today we are here to discuss another important matter – Foot Pegs.

Right. We are talking about Motorcycle Foot Pegs. And the question is,

Where to put your feet on the foot pegs?

This is one hell of a subject among motorcycle riders that is continuously being discussed. During debates, many people are in favor of putting the balls of the feet on the foot pegs and many others are in favor of putting the arches of the feet on the foot pegs.

So, what’s the whole story? I’ll tell you right away. As a professional rider, I can tell you straight forward that putting both the balls and the arches of the feet on the foot pegs is correct. But, only under certain circumstances.

If you are going to race, then you should use the balls of your feet on the foot pegs but if you are riding on the streets (in the real world), then you should use the arches of your feet on the foot pegs.

Do you want to know why?

Well, let’s take each scenario, one at a time.

Positioning the Balls of Your on the Foot Pegs

If you are positioning the balls of your feet on the foot pegs, then it will give you a bit more push on the pegs, which will give you total control. This positioning is suitable while racing on tracks when you know there will be no oncoming traffic and you know where the corners are, you even know the braking markers for the corners.

However, your feet are nowhere near the brakes or the gear shifter, but it doesn’t mean you need emergency brakes. On a racetrack, you need control and speed to decrease the lap time. Plus, you already know when to move your feet to shift gears or use the brakes.

See Also: What’s it like to ride at 300 Kmph?

Positioning the Arches of Your Feet on the Foot Pegs

But, in the real world, on the streets, you never know when someone or some vehicle will appear in front of your motorcycle. Moreover, you are not on a clean racetrack anymore; instead, you could be riding on a road where you face gravel, livestock, a vehicle on the wrong side of the road, or a speed camera that binds you to a certain speed.

All things point in the same direction, i.e. “An emergency will arise at any time.”

So, what’s the strategy here?

Well, there is no unique strategy but to better focus on the road, put the arches of your feet on the foot pegs. In this way, your feet will already be close to shift gears and apply brakes in milliseconds, if necessary. You won’t need to move your feet to reach them.

I am sure, now you understand the reason behind using the balls or the arches of the feet on the foot pegs. There is one other condition of using the balls instead of the arches, aside from the racetracks and that is off-road riding.

When you are riding off-road, you don’t want your toes sticking out and getting caught on an obstacle.